Dear Grace,
Dear Grace,
First, I'd like to extend my sincerest congratulations. You did it, hun. You made it to the other side of what proved to be a rather lengthy and trying collection of months. Brava. A new city, some fresh digs, a challenging gig, and a few stretches of solitude have left you a bit out of breath - don't even get me started on the Trader Joe's runs.
But such is life. There are going to be a hell of a lot more hoops to jump through, and mountains to climb. So, if you want to survive this thing, you're going to need a stern talking to. Life isn't a sprint, girl; it's a marathon. Turn off, tune in, buckle down, and - for the love of God - stop psyching yourself out. You'll never believe me when I say this, but everything is going to be just fine.
I know you're strong enough and smart enough to run with the best of 'em, but sometimes that's the problem. Sure, you can do anything, but that doesn't mean that you need to do everything.
You're desperate to make your mark and overwhelmed by the pressure to do it now. With Insta-cults of 20-something-year-old bloggers, self-made teen YouTube millionaires, and a classmate's blossoming start-up flooding your news feed on the daily, I don't blame you. But when you peel back all the product launches and book deals and 7-digit followings, you're really just left with a bunch of kids who went after their dreams. You can do the same. Stop wasting your time watching their fairytale, and go create your own. It's okay if you haven't figured it all out yet, but know that there will be no sympathy for those who stand idly by waiting for the answer. Keep moving. Keep learning. Keep #doingthings.
Be sure these actions always reflect the integrity and authenticity that you've cultivated so diligently. You've continued to steer yourself towards the high road. And, while lonelier and longer than you ever could have imagined, this road navigates you towards an invaluable destination. Hold on tight, babe. Remain confident in who you are and who you hope to be.
You can't help that you were born an old soul. Of course it hasn't been easy - you've had your fair share of mom and grandma nicknames. But know that you were never meant to be like everyone else. You put up with a lot of crap from people, mostly because you continuously show them what it means to be someone on which they can rely. Understand when to practice patience and persevere and when to draw the line. Know your worth.
That said, do your best to not let other people get you down. When you expect as much from others as you do from yourself - nine out of ten times - they'll come up short. Even when this happens, don't lose faith. Continue to believe the best in them, but know that you alone hold the keys to your own happiness.
Above all, stop being so hard on yourself. Believe it or not, you're exactly where you're supposed to be. Take time to appreciate how hard you've worked to get here, and be proud of all that you've accomplished. I know you're doing the best that you can. You've had your fair share of tearful nights and pity-parties, but who hasn't? What's most important is that you never let the bad days overshadow the good. Put some perspective around your failures. And when you think you've failed, think again. Just because you aren't where you want to be doesn't mean you're never going to get there.
I know you hold all the tools to achieve everything you've ever imagined. Not everyone is going to understand where you're going, but the few that matter always will. Remember, you're never alone on this journey, and you better think twice about how lucky you are to have people who tell you this every. single. day.
So lace up your high-tops, let your curls down, and take a deep breath.
You're going to do great things, kid.